Page 485 - Child's own book

tlirew his arms round her and embraced lier; and the bear,
desirous to testify her affection for him, stroked him with her
huge paw, and uttered a gentle grow], as if to express her
satisfaction in his caresses.
Valentine now made many signs to Orson, persuading him to
go with him, where he should be fed and clothed, and treated
with the greatest kindness; but Orson rejected all his offers
with anger and contempt, making signs that he never would
quit his beloved bear, nor his wild life in the woods. But it
happened that the strong liquor which the bear had drunk bo
greedily from Valentine's bottle caused her death; and soon
after, testifying her love for Orson in the manner we have
described, she faintly howled, and fell dead on the ground.
Orson stood for a few moments motionless with alarm and
amazement; then, supposing his ancient friend might be only
asleep, he stooped and endeavoured to rouse her, but finding all
his efforts ineffectual, his grief is scarcely to be described. Ho
threw himself upon the body, and uttered piercing shrieks of
distress. At length he suddenly sprang up from the ground,
and approaching Valentine made signs that he would now be
his; and while the tears ran down his cheeks for the loss of his
bear, he suffered Valentine to bind his hands, and followed his
conductor. ^Valentine took his way towTards Orleans; but
wherever he passed, the people, perceiving the wild man, raa
into their houses and hid themselves. On arriving at an ian
where Valentine intended resting during the night, the terrified
inhabitants fastened their doors, and would not suffer them to
enter. Valentine made signs to Orson, who, placing his shoulder
against the door, forced it open in an instant, upon which the
people of the inn all ran out at the back-door, and would not
venture to return. A great feast was in preparation, and there
were plenty of fowls and good provisions roasting at the fire.